Wig with fray-resistant neck portion and method

ABSTRACT

A wig that includes a wig cap for being fitted onto at least a portion of the head of a wearer, and an array of predominantly synthetic hair attached to a first area of the cap that excludes a second area of the cap above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer. An array of predominantly natural hair is attached to the cap in the second area of the cap. The array of natural hair is adapted to engage the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck to thereby avoid fraying of hair ends characteristic of synthetic hair. A method of fabricating a wig is also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a wig product and method in which hair above a specified level on the wig cap is synthetic hair, and hair below a specified level on the wig cap is natural hair. Wigs made from synthetic hair have become popular because of lower cost and the fact that synthetic hair can be styled in such a way as to maintain the style over a much longer period of time. In addition, improved fiber technology and processing techniques have resulted in synthetic fibers that are indistinguishable from natural hair. However, even the best synthetic fibers are subject to fraying and end damage in areas where the synthetic hairs are subjected to repeated rubbing, such as in the area of the nape of the neck, where rubbing against the neck and against dress and blouse collars typically occurs.

The result is a synthetic wig in which most of the synthetic hair retains an excellent appearance and styling during extended use, but shows fraying and wear around the back side of the neck. Therefore, wigs of synthetic hair are often discarded and replaced before the vast majority of the wig is worn.

Natural hair, on the other hand, is more expensive, but being natural protein, tends not to fray and wear as the result of repeated rubbing, as is the case with synthetic hair. It therefore retains a natural look in these areas far longer than synthetic hair. Wigs are known where synthetic hair and natural hair are blended throughout the extent of the hair array. The blending can occur by means of several fabrication techniques. However, prior art synthetic wigs have not successfully achieved long wear while retaining a fresh, unworn look, particularly along the nape of the neck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a predominantly synthetic wig providing all of the advantages of synthetic hair while avoiding the prior art disadvantage of wear and fraying along the nape of the neck.

It is another object of the invention to provide a wig that has synthetic hair in certain areas of the wig cap and natural hair in other areas of the wig cap where resistance to wear and fraying is desirable.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by providing a wig, comprising a wig cap for being fitted onto at least a portion of the head of a wearer. An array of predominantly synthetic hair is attached to a first area of the cap that excludes a second area of the cap above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer, and an array of predominantly natural hair is attached to the cap in the second area of the cap and adapted to engage the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck. This design avoids fraying of hair ends characteristic of synthetic hair when rubbing against the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the array of natural hair is attached to the cap at a distance of between 7 and 12 cm above a bottom edge of the cap.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the cap is constructed of intersecting and parallel-extending fabric bands.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the array of natural hair comprises a plurality of vertically-spaced, horizontally-extending wefts stitched to the cap.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the array of synthetic hair and the array of natural hair are styled and colored to provide a uniform appearance.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the array of natural hair extends between 1 and 15 cm below the bottom edge of the cap.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the array of natural hair excludes any synthetic hair.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a wig is provided, and includes a wig cap constructed of intersecting and parallel-extending fabric bands for being fitted onto at least a portion of the head of a wearer, and an array of predominantly synthetic hair attached to a first area of the cap that excludes a second area of the cap above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer. An array of predominantly natural hair comprises a plurality of vertically-spaced, horizontally-extending wefts stitched to the cap in the second area of the cap at a distance of between 7 and 12 cm above a bottom edge of the cap and adapted to engage the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck to thereby avoid fraying of hair ends characteristic of synthetic hair when rubbed against the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the array of synthetic hair and the array of natural hair are styled and colored to provide a uniform appearance.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the array of natural hair extends between 1 and 15 cm below the bottom edge of the cap.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the array of natural hair excludes any synthetic hair.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of constructing a wig is provided and includes the steps of forming a cap for being fitted onto at least a portion of the head of a wearer, and attaching an array of predominantly synthetic hair to a first area of the cap that excludes a second area of the cap above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer. An array of predominantly natural hair is attached to the cap in the second area of the cap and is adapted to engage the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck to thereby avoid fraying of hair ends characteristic of synthetic hair when rubbed against the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of attaching the array of natural hair is attached to the cap at a distance of between 7 and 12 cm above a bottom edge of the cap.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of constructing the cap of intersecting and parallel-extending fabric bands.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of stitching the array of natural hair to the cap in a plurality of vertically-spaced, horizontally-extending wefts.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of styling and coloring the array of synthetic hair and the array of natural hair to provide a uniform appearance.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of extending the array of natural hair between 1 and 15 cm below the bottom edge of the cap.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of excluding from the array of natural hair any synthetic hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a wig according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in place on the head of a wearer;

FIG. 2 is a view of a wig according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, turned inside out; and

FIG. 3 is a view of a wig according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the outside of the wig.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a wig according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3 at reference numeral 10. The wig 10 is formed of a wig cap 12 formed of a lattice of intersecting and parallel fabric bands 14 that are attached together to form a stable support for the hair. The wig 10 includes an array 16 of solely or predominantly synthetic hair attached to a first area of the cap 18. The array 16 excludes a second area of the cap 20 above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer, as shown in FIG. 3.

An array 22 of predominantly natural hair is attached to the cap 12 in the second area of the cap 20. The array 22 is positioned, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the back of the head and is intended to be that portion of the hair that engages the nape of the neck and garments worn near the neck. The natural hair in this location avoids fraying of the synthetic hair. The array 22 of natural hair is attached to the cap 12 at a distance of between 7 and 12 cm above a bottom edge of the cap 12. The hair may be attached to the cap 12 in any preferred manner, and may include stitching wefts of hair to the bands 14, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, a cap formed of a mesh material may be used, and the hair either stitched to or interwoven through the mesh openings to form arrays of hair. Other forms of caps may be used as well.

The arrays 16 and 22 may be styled and colored to provide a uniform appearance so that the two separate arrays 16 and 22 are not visually apparent. The length of the array 22 of natural hair may be any suitable length. In several preferred embodiments, the array of natural hair extends between 1 and 15 cm below the bottom edge of the cap.

The invention is described in terms of synthetic and natural hair in the two separate arrays 16 and 22. However, it is possible and within the scope of the invention that some minimal amount of natural hair could be introduced into the synthetic hair array 16 and, conversely, some minimal amount of synthetic hair may be introduced into the array 22 of natural hair. The essential principle is to provide two separate arrays, one of which is solely or predominately synthetic hair, and the other of which—the array most adjacent to the nape of the neck—is solely or predominately natural hair. A minimal amount of synthetic hair in the array 22 would not defeat the advantage of preventing the appearance of fraying and wear attendant to rubbing against the neck and neck surrounding garments. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the array of natural hair excludes any synthetic hair.

The method according to an embodiment of the invention includes the steps of forming the wig 10 by first constructing the cap 12. The cap 12 is intended to be sized and shaped to be fitted onto at least a portion of the head of a wearer. An array of predominantly synthetic hair is attached to a first area of the cap 18 that excludes the second area of the cap 20 above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer. An array of predominantly natural hair is attached to the cap 12 in the second area of the cap 20 and is adapted to engage the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck to thereby avoid fraying of hair ends characteristic of synthetic hair when rubbed against the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck.

A wig and related method of fabricating a wig are described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims. 

1. A wig, comprising: (a) a wig cap for being fitted onto at least a portion of the head of a wearer; (b) an array of predominantly synthetic hair attached to a first area of the cap that excludes a second area of the cap above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer; and (c) an array of predominantly natural hair attached to the cap in the second area of the cap and adapted to engage the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck to thereby avoid fraying of hair ends characteristic of synthetic hair when rubbing against the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck.
 2. A wig according to claim 1, wherein the array of natural hair is attached to the cap at a distance of between 7 and 12 cm above a bottom edge of the cap.
 3. A wig according to claim 1, wherein the cap is constructed of intersecting and parallel-extending fabric bands.
 4. A wig according to claim 1, wherein the array of natural hair comprises a plurality of vertically-spaced, horizontally-extending wefts stitched to the cap.
 5. A wig according to claim 1, wherein the array of synthetic hair and the array of natural hair are styled and colored to provide a uniform appearance.
 6. A wig according to claim 1, wherein the array of natural hair extends between 1 and 15 cm below the bottom edge of the cap.
 7. A wig according to claim 1, wherein the array of natural hair excludes any synthetic hair.
 8. A wig, comprising: (a) a wig cap constructed of intersecting and parallel-extending fabric bands for being fitted onto at least a portion of the head of a wearer; (b) an array of predominantly synthetic hair attached to a first area of the cap that excludes a second area of the cap above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer; and (c) an array of predominantly natural hair comprising a plurality of vertically-spaced, horizontally-extending wefts stitched to the cap in the second area of the cap at a distance of between 7 and 12 cm above a bottom edge of the cap and adapted to engage the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck to thereby avoid fraying of hair ends characteristic of synthetic hair when rubbed against the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck.
 9. A wig according to claim 8, wherein the array of synthetic hair and the array of natural hair are styled and colored to provide a uniform appearance.
 10. A wig according to claim 9, wherein the array of natural hair extends between 1 and 15 cm below the bottom edge of the cap.
 11. A wig according to claim 8, wherein the array of natural hair excludes any synthetic hair.
 12. A method of constructing a wig, comprising: (a) forming a cap for being fitted onto at least a portion of the head of a wearer; (b) attaching an array of predominantly synthetic hair to a first area of the cap that excludes a second area of the cap above and adjacent the nape of the neck when being worn by the wearer; and (c) attaching an array of predominantly natural hair to the cap in the second area of the cap adapted to engage the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck to thereby avoid fraying of hair ends characteristic of synthetic hair when rubbed against the nape of the neck and garments proximate the nape of the neck.
 13. A method of constructing a wig according to claim 12, and including the step of attaching the array of natural hair is attached to the cap at a distance of between 7 and 12 cm above a bottom edge of the cap.
 14. A method of constructing a wig according to claim 12, and including the step of constructing the cap of intersecting and parallel-extending fabric bands.
 15. A method of constructing a wig according to claim 12, and including the step of stitching the array of natural hair to the cap in a plurality of vertically-spaced, horizontally-extending wefts.
 16. A method of constructing a wig according to claim 12, and including the steps of styling and coloring the array of synthetic hair and the array of natural hair to provide a uniform appearance.
 17. A method of constructing a wig according to claim 12, and including the step of extending the array of natural hair between 1 and 15 cm below the bottom edge of the cap.
 18. A method of constructing a wig according to claim 12, and including the step of excluding from the array of natural hair any synthetic hair. 